how to choose the best lash extensions etobicoke

The “I Woke Up Like This” Lashes: How to Choose the Right Extension Style for Your Everyday Life

Classic lashes give a natural, mascara-like look. Hybrid lashes mix classic and volume fans for soft fullness. Volume lashes create full, fluffy glamour.

At Dory’s Designs Beauty Studio here on Browns Line in Etobicoke, about 55 percent of clients choose Hybrid because it offers the perfect balance between looking rested and looking polished. Classic is ideal if you want subtle brightness. Volume works best if you want definition that shows up in photos.

If you just want to wake up looking refreshed, these are the three styles you’re choosing between. Everything else comes down to your natural lashes, your routine, and how you want to feel in the mirror.

Now that I’ve given you the answer upfront, here is the real, human version of how I help clients choose the right style.

The Conversation I Hear Every Week

A tired mom named Marissa R. rushed in from Browns Line after the morning school run.
She sat in my lash chair and whispered the sentence I hear more than anything else:

“Dory, I just want to wake up looking put together.”

She didn’t want glam. She didn’t want drama. She didn’t want strangers asking where she was going that night. She wanted to open her eyes and like what she saw, even before brushing her teeth.

And this is exactly why lash extensions can change the way someone feels every day.
At Dory’s Designs Beauty Studio, lashes aren’t about looking like someone else.
They’re about caring for the person sitting in front of me.

My Lash Artist Mistake I’ll Never Forget

Six years ago, before I refined my consultation style, a client told me she wanted “natural lashes.”
So I gave her a Classic set because that’s what natural meant to me.

She returned three days later looking disappointed.

She said, “These don’t show up in photos. I thought natural meant visible but not fake.”

I felt terrible. I had assumed instead of asking.
That experience changed everything about the way I match clients to their lash style.

Now I don’t guess.
I ask. I analyze. I look at lifestyle. I look at natural lash strength.
I make sure the client and I are talking about the same result.

That mistake is the reason this blog exists.

The Three Main Lash Styles: Explained Simply

These are the same explanations I give clients during consultations.

Classic Lashes

• One extension per natural lash
• Clean and natural
• Soft enhancement
Best for clients who want the “mascara but smoother” look.

Hybrid Lashes

• Mix of Classic and Volume fans
• Soft texture and light fullness
• Fills small gaps beautifully
This is the most requested set at my Etobicoke studio because it meets in the middle.

Volume Lashes

• Multiple lightweight extensions per natural lash
• Fluffy, dense, eye-catching
Best for clients who want visible fullness at all times, even without makeup.

At Dory’s Designs, we’ve applied 800+ lash sets, and these three categories cover every client need.

Who Each Style Is Actually Best For

People assume the style is only about how dramatic you want to look.
It’s not.
It is about your life.

Classic works best for you if:

• You rarely have time for makeup
• You want to look refreshed, not glam
• You prefer soft brightness over fullness
This was perfect for Marissa R., who joked, “I’m lucky if I brush my own hair.”

Hybrid works best for you if:

• You want a little more density
• Your lashes have gaps
• You want to look polished for work without looking dramatic
My client Samira K., a full-time real estate agent around Sherway Gardens, chose Hybrid because she’s face-to-face with clients daily.

Volume works best for you if:

• You love bold lashes
• You take photos or record content
• You want consistent definition
This is why Valentina S., a content creator in Mimico, went with Volume. It photographs beautifully even on no-makeup days.

Curl, Length, and Shape Matter as Much as the Style

Choosing Classic, Hybrid, or Volume is only step one.

At Dory’s Designs Beauty Studio, we look at:

Curl

• C curl: soft, natural
• D curl: lifted, brightening
• L curl: ideal for hooded eyes

Length

We compare 8mm to 14mm on your eye to find the one that enhances your features without overwhelming them.

Shape

• Cat eye elongates
• Doll eye brightens
• Natural sweep blends seamlessly

Your friend’s lashes may not suit your eye shape. Your eyes need their own blueprint.

The Question That Decides Everything

I always ask:

“How much effort do you want to put in?”

Your routine dictates your style.

• Low-maintenance people usually choose Classic
• Busy professionals choose Hybrid
• Photo-forward clients choose Volume

Your lashes should match your energy, not create more work.

What Lash Extensions Cost at Dory’s Designs

Here are our real prices:

Classic Lash Full Set – $120 (2 hours)
Hybrid Full Set – $140 (2 hours)
Volume Full Set – $160 (2 hr 30 min)
Hybrid Refill – price varies

A consultation at my studio is complimentary.

During consultations, we compare lash maps, styles, curl options, and what suits your natural lash health.

Aftercare That Makes Extensions Last Longer

Clients who follow proper aftercare get 1 to 2 extra weeks out of their lashes.
Here’s what we teach during every appointment:

• Clean daily with our gentle lash cleanser
• Avoid oils near your eyes
• Brush lashes lightly every morning
• Schedule fills on time

We also send text reminders around week three.
This small system helps lashes last up to five weeks for many Etobicoke clients.

Real Client Story: Marissa’s Full Transformation Timeline

Day 0 – Consultation

She arrived nervous.
Her biggest fear: “Will I look fake?”
We reviewed Classic vs Hybrid vs Volume.
Classic won because she wanted subtle brightness.

Day 1 – Application

She relaxed for two hours under a blanket while I worked.
When she opened her eyes, she held the mirror for a long quiet moment.
She whispered, “I look like me. Just… rested.”

Day 2 – Selfie

She texted a hoodie selfie from her car:
“Dory, I actually like how I look when I wake up.”

Week 2 – Fill Appointment

She came in smiling.
Her kids had noticed first.
Her husband said, “You look happier in the mornings.”

Week 3 – Local Toronto Validation

She ran into a coworker at the No Frills on Browns Line.
Her coworker asked, “Did you start wearing mascara again?”
Marissa laughed and booked her coworker in two days later.

This is why I love what I do.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lash Extensions at Dory’s Designs Beauty Studio

How long do lash extensions last?

Most clients get 3 to 5 weeks, depending on aftercare and natural lash cycle.
Clients who clean daily and avoid oils stretch their fills longer.

How much do lash extensions cost in Etobicoke?

At Dory’s Designs:
• Classic Full Set: $120
• Hybrid Full Set: $140
• Volume Full Set: $160
Refill pricing varies based on fullness and lash growth.

How long does a lash appointment take?

• Classic: 2 hours
• Hybrid: 2 hours
• Volume: 2 hours 30 minutes
Refills are shorter, typically under 90 minutes.

What’s included in a lash consultation?

Your consultation is free and includes:
• Lash health check
• Style mapping
• Curl and length recommendations
• Lifestyle assessment
• Personalized lash plan

Ready for Your Own “I Woke Up Like This” Lashes?

If you want to wake up feeling confident without effort, I would love to help you choose the style that fits your everyday life.

Come see me at Dory’s Designs Beauty Studio,
850 Browns Line, Etobicoke, ON
Call or text 416-816-3617
You may also book a schedule online.

No pressure. No guessing.
Just a lash style that makes your mornings lighter, easier, and brighter.

You’re next.

Back to blog